I AM happy to be able, through the kindness of a
friend, to publish here for the first time, two Letters of our famous
Ayrshire Covenanter, Alexander Peden. The first of them was written to
some unknown person from the farm-house of Knockdow, in Ballantrae
parish. It may be remembered that Peden was taken prisoner at this house
in the following month, and it is to be feared that this very letter may
have given the clue to his hiding-place. It is interesting to notice the
habit in those days of referring to persons in cypher, in case
the letter should fall into an enemy's hands, which, in point of fact,
this one did.
"Knockdow, Carrick, May 15th, 1673. " My dear
friend,—I send this to you to lett you know that I have come to this
place in some safety, but have no hopes of remaining long before the
arch-enemy is upon me, but I pray you to remember me to'those I have
left toiling there, that I am in good heart, but greatly tried. Tell
John to keep the monies by him until I can find some trusty friend. I am
not seen abroad just now, as I have some warning that injury is intended
me. 331 and 334 are well, and send you health. You will find D. means us
no good, and no good quality can be expected from L. " Ever your
faithful friend,
"Alexr. Peden."
The second Letter was
written to the Lord Stair of those days. He was the first Earl of Stair,
afterwards Lord Advocate, a warm friend of the Covenanters, and who was
himself several times imprisoned for the Cause. It was written about
eleven years after the other, when Peden was again in hiding, and about
a year before his death.
"My Lord,—I have but tyme
to send you this scrip to lett your Lordship know that I have not yett
given up my faith in the Restoration of this Remnant, and that I have
got no news of my persecutors except that I have to encloss for fear.
And I am tauld that 200 men have been doun this way. but I write this to
you to show that the Lord has still protected me. I dare not comit more
to this than I have done, because I know not into whose hands itt may
pass, but praying the good Lord to keep you and yours in all health, and
as much happiness as may be, I remain, in all obedience in the Lord,
Alexr. Peden.
"From my place of 16,
known to your Lordship, this 13th of Nov., 1684.
"For my Lord Stair, in
all haste."
